MOOYAH Burgers to Pitch Neighborhood Group on Jackson Square Restaurant

A Texas-based burger and shake chain will make its case to the neighborhood next week to open an outpost of its fast-casual concept in Jackson Square. MOOYAH Bugers, Fries & Shakes seeks to open at 225 Centre St. That's the large building right next to the Jackson Square T where it meets Columbus Avenue. The company, headquartered in Dallas, had originally planned to open its JP restaurant in April or May. MOOYAH representatives are scheduled to appear at the Tuesday, June 6 meeting of the JP Neighborhood Council's Public Service Committee.

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Chilacates Opening Second Location on Centre Street

Popular Jamaica Plain taqueria Chilacates is opening a second location in the neighborhood, taking over the Centre Street space formerly occupied by the short-lived Pink Samurai dumpling house. A Chilacates employee at the taqueria's 224 Amory St. location confirmed to Jamaica Plain News that a second Chilacates will open at 658 Centre St. -- and that the Amory Street location will remain open as well. Chilacates, which opened in the summer of 2015, has quickly gained a loyal customer following who gravitate to their burritos, tacos and other Mexican specialties.

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Brassica Kitchen Now Serving Brunch

Delicious brunch news --sound the trumpets! Newly opened Brassica Kitchen + Cafe co-owners/co-chefs Jeremy Kean and Phil Kruta are pleased to announce that they are now offering Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. Located in a former luncheonette in Jamaica Plain across from the Forest Hills MBTA station, Brassica Kitchen + Cafe serves flavorfully fun French-American comfort fare, using locally grown, seasonal ingredients in unexpected ways with delicious results. Items from the inaugural brunch menu include:
Chicken and Waffles drizzled in hot sauce and maple syrup. Belgian Waffles served with raspberry compote and whipped maple butter.

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Eleanor Elias

Ellie Elias, Co-Founder of Sorella’s, 63

Eleanor "Ellie" Elias who founded Sorella's with her sister Antoinette "Toni" Elias, died Monday. She was 63. The Hyde Square restaurant has become an iconic part of Jamaica Plain. The sisters opened it in 1983, according to the Jamaica Plain Gazette. As the Gazette points out, the name Sorella's means "sisters."

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James’s Gate Has Closed

Pour one out for James's Gate: The Irish pub on South Street has seemingly served the JP community for the final time. According to a sign posted on its doors this afternoon:
Dear faithful patrons,
We regret to inform you James's Gate had to close its doors. Thank you all for all your support over the years. We will miss all and hope to see you around the JP community. Sincerely,
James's Gate staff.

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Il Panino Express, an outpost of the Jackson Square and North End pizza and sub shop, plans to open at 172 South St.

Pizza, Prosciutto Sub Powerhouse to Open Satellite South Street Location

Il Panino Cafe & Grill, which expanded from the North End to Jamaica Plain years ago, plans to open a take-out only branch at 172 South St. The restaurant is known for its thin-crust pizza, calzones and subs. Its namesake sub is a Caprese plus prosciutto. Jamaica Plain News has reached out to Il Panino, which anchors the corner of 268 Centre St. in Jackson Square, about timing for the expansion.

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The Frogmore Unveils Brunch Menu, Launching This Weekend

Chef Jason Albus of the newly opened The Frogmore in JP rolls out a Southerly brunch this Saturday, July 18. Albus will turn out brunch eats from the rich flavors of coastal South Carolina and Georgia - think creamy grits, country ham, pickled shrimp and hoecakes - with fried pork chops and cheesy tater tots for good measure. Check out the full menu below. To accompany the brunch menu Alex Homans, manager of the beverage program at the Southern gem brings an impressive list of homespun cocktails with ingredients and names inspired by the flavors and landscape of the region including the Back Road Rider bloody mary with Pisco, peach and lemon, Rainbow Row mimosa with strawberry shrub and gin, and the King Street cocktail with rum, maraschino, cynar and lime. Brunch is served at the pineapple clad digs from 10:30am - 3pm every Saturday and Sunday.

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CJ Reese, who like a large majority of the staff lives in or very near JP, tends bar.

Sneak Preview: The Frogmore Brings Southern Hospitality to Hyde Square

The Frogmore, a coastal Carolina-style restaurant and bar, has adopted the pineapple as a symbol of how it hopes to integrate into Hyde Square. For southerners, the pineapple means hospitality. The pineapple is also a sign of the Latino culture in Hyde Square, and you'll see it displayed prominently on signs around the neighborhood. On Tuesday, the Frogmore held a preview for friends, family and media. The 365 Centre St.

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Burrito Shop Eyes Amory Spot

#nomnomnom @eglestonsq soon to welcome Mexican Rest to the hood. #Boston @02130news
A photo posted by Jokolok (@boricotto) on Jun 19, 2015 at 12:51pm PDT

On Thursday, the team behind a new Mexican restaurant will make its case to city bureaucrats to open in the former Amory Restaurant space at 224 Amory St. The spot, to be called Chilacates, is seeking permission to be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and to provide 10 seats plus counter service. It's not the only Mexican-inspired eatery on the horizon for JP. The Tres Gatos/Centre Street Cafe team is opening a fresh-Mex place called "Casa Verde" in the former Ghazal space.

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A customer orders at Pikalo, 378 Centre St., in June 2015.

Pikalo Serves Fusion Empanadas to Hungry JP Residents

José and Elsa Pimentel opened Pikalo Empanadas and Sandwich Bar earlier this year, and today, the Hyde Square restaurant serves a diverse array of empanadas to a community equally as unique. This is not the first foray into the restaurant industry for chef-owner José Pimentel, whose first Pikalo location in Lawrence established his concept as an empanada eatery, while also building name recognition. Ultimately, though, the Pimentel’s knew they wanted to expand to Jamaica Plain, and so when a location opened up that was within their price range, they jumped at the opportunity to open a second venue in the area. “The neighborhood is extremely diverse,” said Elsa, who spearheads front of house management. “That’s what attracted us to the area.

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